There is one major reason the city of Russellville has enjoyed a rebirth downtown in the past few years — the vision, creation and implementation of a master plan.

Russellville Mayor Bill Eaton gave an update on the Downtown Master Plan during Thursday’s City Council meeting. Its origins date back to 2008, when a local historic district was created.

Aldermen passed a resolution in 2009 which authorized Main Street Russellville (MSR) to develop a master plan, but the recession of the late 2000s extended the plan’s production until 2012 by the Walker Collaborative.

Eaton noted the City Council valued its partnership with MSR since aldermen can’t be involved in all aspects of every area of responsibility.

“The City Council is responsible to take action based on their recommendations,” the mayor said. “They are entrusted to carry out details under their umbrellas of responsibility.”

Eaton explained the plan’s purpose was to create a comprehensive strategy to revitalize the historic downtown and the El Paso Avenue Corridor to link downtown to Arkansas Tech University (ATU). Sponsored by the city and MSR and funded by Pope County and ATU, the planning project engaged the public by including a multi-day brainstorming process and public workshop. The project’s four steps included:

• Research and analysis;

• Charrette (multi-day brainstorming) and a concept plan;

• Draft plan preparation and

• Plan presentation and revisions.

In addition to some of the physical improvements among the revitalization strategies, the variety of features includes the rehabilitation of historic buildings; compatible infill development; enhance and expand parking; develop a downtown library; employ business development tools, improve public policies like zoning, and adopt financial incentives.

Future downtown

A rendering given to meeting participants indicated how downtown Russellville may appear following the implementation of the master plan, including:

• Redeveloped Arkansas Avenue;

• Redeveloped Main Street;

• Redeveloped Depot Plaza;

• Ozark Interpretation Center;

• Expanded space off Burris Memorial Plaza;

• New parking garage behind courthouse;

• New county annex building;

• Infill commercial or mixed use buildings

A visual simulation in the plan summary illustrated potential improvements for the block between Denver and Commerce Avenues, which included streetscape redevelopment that includes back-in angled parking, street trees and street lights.

Main Street’s proposed development already has bulbouts and crosswalks at intersections, which Eaton said precedes private development.

“New businesses and restaurants locating downtown are evidence that the plan is working,” he added.

Other Main Street improvements in the Master Plan include a “road diet” to feature one driving lane in each direction, special pavers and a landscaped median, and back-in angled on-street parking.

“Another goal is to turn the downtown district into a more pedestrian-friendly area,” Eaton said. Another possible north-south truck route could be Weir Road, which would take some truck traffic from downtown.

That was one of the complaints from business and property owners, the mayor said.

The El Paso corridor improvements, under construction since last year, include a multi-use “cycle track” on the west side; open space, greenway and athletic fields in the Prairie Creek floodplain on the south end; a gateway to ATU at the north end of the avenue; and varied higher-density housing in the north half.

The most vital parts of the Downtown Master Plan is a need for more parking and Depot Park improvements. The plan summary calls for a trailhead, a veteran’s memorial, a Mr. Conductor roundabout, relocating the caboose, farmer’s market space and green and stage area.

Eaton encouraged aldermen to fund the projects, since delay would lessen the impact of the current improvements.

“Quoting the chairman of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, ‘If you wait for everybody to agree on your proposals, it will never happen,’” the mayor added.

But property and business owners must either develop decaying downtown buildings or put them on the market at a reasonable price, so others who want and have the funds can “bring them to life,” Eaton said.